Vacuum controlled side-rear view mirror for exposing blind spot

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, which exposes the blind spot in the direction in which a vehicle makes a turn, to be installed at the back of mechanically or electrically operated side-rear view mirrors. A mechanical device, connected to a mirror unit and to the frame, having a diaphragm sealingly disposed therein. When a winker switch is activated, the diaphragm housing is activated by vacuum, causing the diaphragm to be sucked backwards, resulting in said mirror unit pivoting backwards to expose the blind spot, further, when there is no vacuum the mirror unit is returned to its original position by the returning means. The invention also operates where instead of one mirror, there are two mirrors hinged together, whereby the mechanical device pivots only one of the mirrors to expose the blind spot, such that the other mirror is left to expose the rear-view of the car. The invention can also operate by pivoting the mirror frame to expose the blind spot rather than pivoting the mirror unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices which shift the side-rear view mirrorin cars in order to expose dead spots. More particularly, this devicerelates to a novel side-rear view mirror which is capable of beingpivoted to expose the blind spot by the use of the engine's vacuum.

Although rear-view mirror pivoting apparatus such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,938,577 exist, such devices are actuated by electric motorswhich have multiple deficits. First, since the mirror is controlled by amotor, an inherent problem is the long adjustment period necessary forpivoting the mirror. The long period necessary for an eclectic motor tomove the mirror is seen when one adjusts the side-view mirrors at theonset of driving. Such a delay between the activation of the apparatusand the response of the mirror to the point where the blind spot isexposed could be critical if the driver seeks to make an emergency turnto the next lane. Such a delay could also be a nuisance, or annoyancegiven that quicker response is available. Second, electric motors cannot return the mirror to its exact original position, without thepresence of a memory controller--which is expensive. Third, sinceelectrical failure is very common, such devices are prone to fail andare therefore less reliable then mechanically activated devices. Fourth,devices requiring a motor are more expensive then mechanically activateddevices.

It is thus desirable to provide a cheap, reliable mechanically activatedrear-view mirror for exposing blind spots where one can expose the blindspot quickly upon command and be able to have the mirror return to itsexact original position.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a novel,cheaper, more reliable pivoting rear-view mirror for exposing blindspots capable of quick respond to command and able to return to itspreexisting initial position. Upon activation, the mirror will betemporarily pivoted away from its normal adjusted position to expose theblind spot. The activator can be the winker switch. At the activation ofthe winker switch, the mirror will move to expose the blind spot atwhich point the driver could turn the steering wheel to turn the car--ifno car is present in the blind spot.

This invention consists of a diaphragm housing installed at the back ofthe mirror. A connecting rod is connects a diaphragm within thediaphragm housing and at its other end, the rod is pivotally connectedto the back of the mirror. The diaphragm housing is connected to avented valve housing which provides for selective communication betweenthe vacuum in the manifold and the diaphragm housing. Upon activation ofthe winker switch, vacuum from the manifold will permeate the diaphragmhousing, causing the diaphragm to drag the rod which will pivot themirror to expose the blind spot. After a pre set time, a timer willprevent further vacuum from permeating the diaphragm housing, but willallow atmospheric air to permeate from the vented valve housing to thediaphragm housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 will illustrate the diaphragm housing connected behind themirror.

FIG. 2 will illustrate the interconnections of the apparatus in avehicle.

FIG. 3 will illustrate the diaphragm housing controlling only the distalpart of a two piece mirror

FIG. 4 will illustrate the interconnection between the rod and themirror being controlled by an electric motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the invention consisting of a mirror frame Ainstalled behind the mirror B, the frame A having a diaphragm housing Cmounted on it. The diaphragm housing has two chambers, C1 and C2 and adividing diaphragm D. The diaphragm housing comprises an inlet E infirst chamber C1, and a spring G disposed in first chamber C1 urges thediaphragm D towards the mirror B, holding the mirror B in its setposition. Second chamber C2 comprises a rod guide FF facing mirror B anda rod F protruding from rod guide FF in the direction of mirror B. Thefirst end portion of the rod F is sealingly connected to the diaphragm Dand the second end portion of the rod F is pivotally mounted to the backof the mirror B.

As shown in FIG. 2, inlet E of first chamber C1 is adapted via a tube Hto a valve housing I having a restricted vent II and a valve J therein.The restricted vent will allow a small amount of atmospheric air toenter into the valve housing I. This insignificant amount of atmosphericair will not significantly reduce the vacuum in the valve housing I, andthe diaphragm housing C, so long as the valve J is open. Yet, therestricted vent will be large enough to allow enough atmospheric air toenter the valve housing I quickly enough when the valve J is closed, sothat the diaphragm could return to its original position after theparticular pre set time. Vented valve housing I having an inlet adaptedto be connected to the vacuum line K leading to the manifold, and anoutlet adapted to be connected to tube H leading to the inlet of firstchamber C1 in the diaphragm housing C. Valve J in valve housing I,normally seated on seat X sealing the inlet of the valve housing,controls the vacuum inlet of the diaphragm housing C, allowing selectivecommunication between the vacuum in the manifold and the diaphragmhousing C. Valve J, prevents the suction in the motor from creating avacuum in diaphragm housing C, whenever the valve is in closed position.A one way valve L is disposed within vacuum line K to keep vacuum in thevacuum line and therefore in diaphragm housing C, in case the vacuumdisappears or reduces in the manifold. A vacuum tank can be disposedbetween one way valve L and valve housing I, to provide vacuum if thepressure in the manifold rises. Valve J is controlled by a solenoid Mwhich is controlled by a timer N which is enabled by the winker switch Owhich is connected to battery P. Winker switch O controls the electricalpower supply to timer N.

Upon activation of the winker switch O, power from battery P will besupplied to timer N. In turn, timer N will send an electric pulse tosolenoid M, causing valve J to be pulled away from seat X, momentarilyallowing vacuum to permeate from the manifold vacuum line K through thevalve housing I via tube H into chamber C1. This sudden valve movement,causing the permeation of vacuum into chamber C1 of the diaphragmhousing C will expose diaphragm D to vacuum. As the suction willovercome the force of spring G, the suction will cause a momentarysuction of the diaphragm away from mirror B. This diaphragm movementwill drag rod F which will drag mirror B backwards, away from its preset position--exposing the blind spot to the driver. Since the valvehousing is vented by vent II, the inlet line of diaphragm housing C willgradually fill with atmospheric air. When the force of spring G willovercome the suction force on diaphragm D, the spring will pushdiaphragm D forwards toward mirror B. Diaphragm D will drag rod Fforward, which in turn will allow mirror B to pivot to its exactoriginal pre set position. The following will decide the rate at whichthe mirror will resume its original position: the vent opening II, thesurface area of diaphragm D exposed to vacuum, the force of spring G.Instead of spring G, a spring capable of returning the mirror to itsoriginal position could be located outside of the diaphragm housing,between the diaphragm housing and the mirror.

One type of timer could provide the following: so long as winker switchO is on, timer N will activate solenoid M every pre set seconds, toallow vacuum to reach diaphragm D so that the driver can repeatedlymonitor the blind spot alternately, for example, viewing the blind spotthen normal view, then a pre set time later again viewing the blind spotthen normal view, then a pre set time again viewing the blind spot thennormal view etc., until the winker switch will be turned off. Thisresult could be provided without a timer at all. The solenoid could bedirectly activated by the winker switch, wherein the winker switch willprovide the solenoid with a pulsating signal. In order to allow thediaphragm to return to its original position within a pre set time otherthan the time interval between winker signals, the vent size could beset to a size to achieve a slower or faster pivots of the mirror,exposing the blind spot every pre set time.

Another type of timer could receive pulsating voltage from the winkerswitch and transmit DC voltage to the solenoid. This will allow themirror to be held backwards to expose the blind spot so long as thewinker switch is turned on.

Instead of any timer, other electrical means that achieve the sameresult could be provided to send the appropriate signal to the solenoid.

FIG. 3 illustrates the diaphragm housing where the mirror is composed oftwo parts: a proximate portion P1 adjacent to the body of the vehicle,and a distal portion D1, distant from the body of the vehicle. Thedistal and proximate portions are connected via a hinge H1. Thediaphragm housing is pivotally connected to the distal portion of themirror. When the winker switch will be activated, only distal portion D1of the mirror will be pivoted backwards to expose the blind spot. Thisconfiguration allows the driver to simultaneously observe the blind spotin the distal portion of the mirror and the pre set rear-view in theproximate portion of the mirror.

In vehicles where the whole frame can be mechanically pivoted foradjustment, the diaphragm housing can be externally pivotally connectedto the frame and anchored straight to the vehicle. When the winkerswitch will be moved, the rod will pivot backwards the frame,consequently drawing the mirror backwards. In this case the spring couldbe disposed outside of the diaphragm housing, such that it will returnthe whole frame to its original position, rather than returning thediaphragm to its original position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the device installed in mirror frames designed tohouse an electric motor A4 for the purpose of setting the mirror. Incase an electric motor exists, the motor will be connected to rod F viapivot pin C4. The electric motor comprises a screw B4. Attached to theback of mirror B is a nut D4. When the screw is screwed into the nut,the distance between the mirror and the rod will be shortened, causingthe mirror to pivot backwards on the pivot point of pivot Z. When thescrew is screwed out of the nut, the distance between the mirror and therod will elongate, allowing the mirror to move forward. When the winkerswitch is activated the rod will be dragged backwards, pulling with itthe motor, which in turn will pull the mirror. The motor is not used atall for the purpose of exposing the blind spot, therefore the process ofexposing the blind spot is not retarded by any electrical motors. Themotor's purpose is purely conventional--setting the mirror. Similarly,the device can be installed in mirror frames housing two motors--oneproviding a means to pivot the mirror around a horizontal axis, and theother providing a means to pivot the mirror around a vertical axis. Insuch a set up the diaphragm housing can be incorporated to provide ameans to expose the blind spot. When the winker switch is activated, therod will be dragged backwards, pulling with it the motors, which in turnwill pull the mirror. Both motors serve the purely conventional functionof setting the mirrors, the motors play no part in exposing the blindspot. Therefore, the device can mechanically expose the blind spot inelectrically activated mirrors as well as in mechanically activatedmirrors.

I claim:
 1. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror for viewing a blindspot existing in the direction in which a vehicle makes a turn,comprising:a mirror frame mounted on a vehicle body; a mirror means forviewing selected views pivotally connected to said frame; a manifoldvacuum line having a one way valve disposed therein to maintain a vacuumin said line whenever such vacuum drops in said manifold; a diaphragmhousing mounted to the frame, the diaphragm housing having a diaphragmsealingly disposed therein to define a first and a second chamber,thefirst chamber adjacent to said frame having an inlet, the second chamberhaving,a rod guide facing the back of said mirror means, a connectingrod having one end sealingly connected to said diaphragm, a bodyprotruding from said rod guide and a second end mounted to the back ofsaid mirror means; a spring means for returning the mirror means to itsoriginal position; a tube having a first end adapted to be connected tosaid inlet in the first chamber; a vented valve housing havingan inlet,comprising a valve seat, said inlet adapted to be connected to themanifold vacuum line, an outlet adapted to be connected to a second endof said tube, a valve seated in the valve seat for providing selectivecommunication between said manifold vacuum line and said diaphragmhousing; a solenoid actuated by a signal from a winker switch, so thatupon the solenoid activation, the valve in said valve housing moves awayfrom the seat allowing the suction in the manifold vacuum line to createa vacuum in the valve housing which in turn creates a vacuum in thefirst chamber of said diaphragm housing, causing the diaphragm to besucked away from the mirror means against the opposing force of thespring, dragging said connecting rod which pivots the mirror means toexpose the blind spot, further, when the winker switch is turned off,the mirror means returns to its original position as vented airpermeates the tube allowing the force of the spring to return the mirrorforward to its original position.
 2. A vacuum controlled rear-viewmirror for viewing a blind spot existing in the direction in which avehicle makes a turn, comprising:a mirror frame pivotally mounted on avehicle body; a mirror means for viewing selected views connected tosaid frame; a manifold vacuum line having a one way valve disposedtherein to maintain a vacuum in said line whenever such vacuum drops insaid manifold; a diaphragm housing mounted to the back of said frame andanchored to said vehicle, the diaphragm housing having a diaphragmsealingly disposed therein to define a first and a second chamber,thefirst chamber adjacent to said frame having an inlet, the second chamberhaving,an rod guide facing the back of said frame; a connecting rodhaving one end sealingly connected to said diaphragm, a body protrudingfrom said guide and a second end mounted to the back of said frame; aspring means for returning the frame to its original position; a tubehaving a first end adapted to be connected to said inlet in the firstchamber; a vented valve housing havingan inlet, comprising a valve seat,said inlet adapted to be connected to the manifold vacuum line, anoutlet adapted to be connected to a second end of said tube, a valveseated in the valve seat for providing selective communication betweensaid manifold vacuum line and said diaphragm housing; a solenoidactuated by a signal from a winker switch, so that upon the solenoidactivation, the valve in said valve housing moves away from the seatallowing the suction in the manifold vacuum line to create a vacuum inthe valve housing which in turn creates a vacuum in the first chamber ofsaid diaphragm housing, causing the diaphragm to be sucked away from themirror means against the opposing force of the spring, dragging saidconnecting rod which pivots the mirror means to expose the blind spot,further, when the winker switch is turned off, the mirror means returnsto its original position as vented air permeates the tube allowing theforce of the spring to returns the frame forward to its originalposition.
 3. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror, as in claim 1 or 2,further comprising:an electrical means, supplied by power form thebattery, for providing the solenoid a DC voltage upon receiving apulsating signal from the winker switch.
 4. A vacuum controlledrear-view mirror, as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:an electricalmeans, supplied by power from the battery, for suppling the solenoidpulsating signals of a first pre-set frequency upon receiving apulsating signal of a second pre-set frequency from the winker switch;whereby, when the winker switch is turned on, a pulse generated by theelectrical means causes the solenoid to pull the valve in said valvehousing away from the seat for a pre-set time corresponding to the firstpre-set frequency, and then the solenoid causes the valve to return tothe seat at the end of the pulse, whereby during the interval when thevalve is away from its seat, the suction in the manifold vacuum line tocreate a vacuum in the valve housing which in turn creates a vacuum inthe first chamber of said diaphragm housing, causing the diaphragm to besucked away from the frame against an opposing force of the spring,dragging said connecting rod which pivots the frame to expose the blindspot, further, between pulses, the mirror frame returns to its originalposition as vented air permeates the tube allowing the force of thespring to push the diaphragm forward to its original position, thisprocess repeats itself with each winker pulse, so long as the winkerswitch is on.
 5. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror as in claim 1 or 2wherein said mirror means comprises a single mirror.
 6. A vacuumcontrolled rear-view mirror as in claim 1 or 2 wherein said mirror meanscomprises two mirrors, a proximate mirror adjacent to the vehicle and adistal mirror away from the vehicle, said mirrors are connected by ahinge, said connecting rod second end being connected to one of themirrors, whereby upon activation or the winker switch said connectingrod pivots said connected mirror on said hinge to expose the blind spotto the driver.
 7. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror as in claim 1 or2, the mirror means comprising at least one electric motor for adjustingthe mirror.